Nigeria's APM demands government account for alleged ₦8.8tn off-budget spending

The Allied People’s Movement (APM) in Lagos State is demanding that Nigeria's Federal Government provide a full accounting of public funds, particularly concerning reports of significant off-budget spending.

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Nigerians deserve transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.

The party's Public Secretary, Ayodele Kazeem, stated on Sunday that Nigerians are entitled to transparency and accountability in how public money is managed. This call comes in response to issues raised during the IMF's recent Article IV consultation, which highlighted government expenditures estimated at approximately ₦8.8 trillion, or about two percent of Nigeria's GDP, outside the official budget.

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public funds belong to Nigerians and should be managed in accordance with constitutional provisions, legislative approval, independent audit and public scrutiny.

The APM emphasized that public funds are the property of Nigerians and must be managed according to constitutional provisions, legislative approval, independent audits, and public scrutiny. The party expressed concern that unexplained off-budget spending could erode transparency, diminish public trust, and create avenues for resource misuse, especially during a period of economic hardship for many citizens.

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any expenditure outside the established budgetary process raises legitimate questions that require clear explanations from the government.

Furthermore, the APM seeks clarification on alleged deductions from statutory allocations to state governments. They are asking the Federal Government to explain the legal basis, the amounts involved, and the intended purposes for these deductions. The party also called upon the National Assembly to launch a comprehensive investigation into the matters raised in the IMF report and urged the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation to conduct and publicize an independent audit of all alleged off-budget expenditures. The APM also wants details of projects executed outside the budget, including procurement processes, contractors, and funding sources, to be published. Any unlawfully made deductions from state allocations should be refunded, and anti-corruption agencies should investigate any financial misconduct.

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unexplained off-budget spending could undermine transparency, weaken public confidence and create opportunities for the misuse of public resources, particularly at a time when many Nigerians are facing economic hardship.